In May 2006, 2.6 million people aged 15-64 years applied to enrol in a course of study. Of these, 92% gained a place and were enrolled in a course of study (table 12.22).

12.22 PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATION(a) - May 2006

Males

Females

Persons

'000

'000

'000

Studying

1 127.3

1 265.1

2 392.4

Gained placement but deferred study

65.1

69.7

134.8

Unable to gain placement

23.9

32.3

56.2

(a) Persons aged 15-64 years who applied to enrol in a course of study.

Source: ABS data available on request, Survey of Education and Work.

In the period 2001-06, the demand for enrolment in a course of study increased. For example, applications from people aged 20-24 years increased by 19% (graph 12.23). While the number of 20-24 year olds studying increased by 22% over the same period, the number of 25-64 year olds studying increased by 25%. There was little change however, in the proportion of all applicants who reported being unable to gain a place, remaining at less than 1%.

Many young people continue in full-time education immediately after completing compulsory schooling, either in post-compulsory schooling or in other forms of education, such as VET. In May 2006, 69% of 15-19 year olds were in full-time education (including 52% still at school). Some young people return to full-time study following a period of absence after completing compulsory schooling. In the 20-24 years age cohort, excluding persons still at school, 25% were undertaking full-time tertiary study and 12% were undertaking part-time tertiary study (table 12.24).

Many people aged 25 years and over return to study, to upgrade their skills or to gain new skills, often while employed. Some 6% of all persons aged 25-64 years in May 2006, were studying part time at a tertiary institution, compared with 2% studying full time.

12.24 EDUCATION PARTICIPATION RATES(a) - May 2006

Age group (years)

15-19

20-24

25-64

%

%

%

Attending school

51.6

*0.2

-

Attending tertiary(b)

Full time

18.4

24.7

1.9

Part time

7.5

12.0

5.6

Total

25.9

36.7

7.5

Attending

77.5

36.9

7.6

Not attending

22.5

63.1

92.4

* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution

- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)

(a) Persons aged 15-64 years.

(b) Educational institutions other than schools.

Source: ABS data available on request, 2006 Survey of Education and Work.

Between 2001 and 2006 the enrolment of 20-24 year olds in tertiary study, increased by 12%. The number of full-time participants in this age group increased by 47,900 (16%) compared with an increase in part-time participation of 9,700 (6%). Over the same period, there has been a 1.5% growth in the number of 15-19 year old participants. While the number of 25-64 year old participants increased by 5% overall, full-time participation by this age group increased by 13%, whereas part-time participation decreased, by 3% (graph 12.25).

Graph 12.26 shows the labour force status of all students aged 15-64 years in May 2006. Labour force participation was lowest among those in Year 12 or below (42%) and greatest for those undertaking a Certificate III or IV (89%). Of the 1.4 million students who were employed in May 2006, some 40% were enrolled for a Bachelor degree or above.

Among young people enrolled to study in May 2006, full-time employment was much higher among those aged 20-24 years than those aged 15-19 years (27% compared with 8%). In both age groups, students who undertook part-time study were more frequently employed full time than part time.

Full-time participation

The 'full-time participation rate' describes the proportion of the population who are fully engaged in education or work or a combination of both. This includes: full-time education; full-time work; or both part-time education and part-time work. The full-time participation rate can be useful to determine the proportion of young people not fully engaged in education and/or work, and who might be at risk of future marginal participation in the labour market.

In May 2006, 180,000 (13%) of young people aged 15-19 years and 301,100 (21%) of 20-24 year olds were not full-time participants. Some 46,300 (3.4%) of 15-19 year olds and 103,500 (7.2%) of 20-24 year olds were neither enrolled to study nor in the labour force (table 12.27).